2,612 patients on list for operations waiting longer than time stipulated in Patient Charter

A total of 2,612 patients have been waiting to have a general surgical operation longer than the time stipulated in the Patient Charter, Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela said.Abela was replying to a series of parliamentary questions made by PN MP Jer

By: independent.com.mt

Nov 20 2024
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2,612 patients on list for ope

A total of 2,612 patients have been waiting to have a general surgical operation longer than the time stipulated in the Patient Charter, Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela said.

Abela was replying to a series of parliamentary questions made by PN MP Jerome Caruana Cilia, who asked the Minister to provide the number of individuals on the waiting list for general operations, cataract surgery, and plastic surgery.

Abela said that there are 2,612 patients who have been waiting for a general surgical intervention longer than the stipulated time in the Patient Charter, for various reasons.

He assured that any urgent operations are carried out as soon as possible. Abela also reiterated that government has allocated €14 million to address the waiting list issue through an outsourcing programme to ensure patients are attended to as quickly as possible.

Abela said that the number of individuals on the waiting list for cataract surgery beyond the time stipulated in the Patient Charter has decreased from 367 to 54 individuals, as a result of government initiatives taken.

"We are doing everything possible to further reduce the waiting period," Abela said, assuring that any urgent cases are addressed promptly.

For plastic surgery, Abela said 176 patients have been waiting for the intervention longer than the time stipulated in the Patient Charter, due to various reasons, with urgent operations carried out as soon as possible.

There are also 152 patients who have been waiting for a neurosurgical operation longer than the time stipulated in the Patient Charter, for various reasons, Abela said.

Caruana Cilia also asked the Minister to say how many individuals are currently on the waiting list for an MRI and for a CT scan, to which Abela said that the information is being collected.